Milestones

Glosten, a Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy, announces completion of the lengthening of the R/V Connecticut, a 90-ft oceanographic research vessel operated by the University of Connecticut (UConn) Marine Sciences program.

"Right off the bat, we made a concerted effort to fully understand how the existing boat was constructed,” said Glosten Project Manager Steve White, PE. “This enabled us to not only integrate the new hull extension, but also make many improvements in the legacy ship systems. The result is rewarding to see, since the lengthened vessel delivers both greatly increased capability and improved functionality to support operations.”

The Connecticut, which had been operating at its original length of 76 feet since its construction in 1998, required additional staterooms and lab space. "Things were pretty cramped at the old length," said Manager of Marine Operations Turner Cabaniss. "The vessel's operations had outgrown what could be carried out easily and efficiently in the space available. To handle our operations, we needed increased interior space for both crew and scientific equipment." UConn selected Glosten in early 2016 to provide a contract level design of the vessel conversion and support the University throughout bidding and construction.

Lengthened vessel.

Glosten's redesign added a 14-ft “plug” to the midsection of the ship, creating space for six additional accommodation spaces, and doubling the size of both the wet lab and dry lab. The additional staterooms allow for an increased complement for overnight trips, as well as flexibility to better accommodate different distributions of men and women in each science party.

Modifications substantially increased the capacity of the fresh water, sewage, and fuel tanks to extend the vessel’s range and endurance.